Hearing Scheduled to Allow Crossbows During Archery Season

The state Senate Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Aug. 15 for Assembly Bill 194 sponsored by state Rep. Mary Czaja (R-35) and Sen. Paul Farrow (R-33).

This long-awaited legislation will allow all hunters the freedom to use a crossbow during the same time period as the big game archery season. This bill would help increase hunter participation and preserve Wisconsin’s rich hunting heritage. AB 194 already passed unanimously on a roll call vote in the state Assembly on June 6 and will continue to need your support to ensure its passage in the state Senate.

The hearing is Thursday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. in the State Capitol at 300 Southeast in Madison.

If you are unable to attend and wish to voice an opinion, contact members of the state Senate Natural Resources Committee listed below.

Experience in other states has shown that allowing the unqualified use of crossbows helps retain and recruit hunters. At a time when hunter numbers are declining, nothing is more important. Retention of older hunters with diminished physical capabilities is especially critical. If allowed to use crossbows, these hunters will remain in the field years longer than they otherwise would if restricted to vertical bows only. For youngsters who do not yet possess the physical strength to use a vertical bow, crossbows would allow them to go afield earlier and create more lifelong archery hunters.

In addition, experience in other states shows that archer success rates do not increase with the use of a crossbow as compared to a vertical bow. The goal of all hunters should be to increase participation because greater hunter numbers in the future will bolster defenses against the political attacks initiated by anti-hunting extremists and ensure hunting heritage.